Nampa, Idaho, Chef’s Dreams Take Flight at The Tower Grill

Nate Lindskoog

The Tower Grill, located at the Nampa Municipal Airport, is one of Idaho’s most unique eateries. This restaurant offers a blend of aviation and fine dining. 

Chef Nate Lindskoog, whose father and grandfather were both pilots, brings his lifelong passion for flying to the menu and the atmosphere. Since opening in 2016, The Tower Grill has become a local favorite and a destination for visitors to Nampa, known for its hearty breakfasts, towering burgers, freshly brewed coffee and runway views. 

How did you get your start in the restaurant business? 

My first job at 16 was busing tables and delivering Chinese food. I loved learning the hospitality side. I had other jobs like mowing lawns and landscaping, but I realized early on that working around people and making them happy is one of the easiest basic needs we can do for others. 

Over the years, I worked in coffee shops, chain restaurants and fine dining, and I managed a local barbecue spot for five years. In the back of my mind, I always wanted my own restaurant. Breakfast and burgers are two things I could eat any time of day. So, when the need was there and the location became available, I took the leap. We’re really proud to be here. 

Oscar Manuel Diaz

How does the airport location influence your menu or atmosphere? 

We’re on the second floor of the airport, so we look out onto the center of the runway. You can see all the action as planes take off and land. There’s something charming and magical about a little local airport. When the weather’s nice, people love to sit and relax on our patio. 

We name menu items after favorite airplanes and other things that make sense — like our 172 Burger, a nod to the classic Cessna, or the Spitfire, a spicy burger named after the WWII aircraft. We’re not just a restaurant that happens to be at an airport; we’ve fully embraced the aviation theme. Interestingly, 90% of our customers are locals, and they love to bring out-of-town guests here. 

For first-time customers, what would you recommend they order? 

Our breakfast plate is great to try a little bit of everything. If you’re in the mood for a burger, the spicy Spitfire is a must. That was the first item I wrote for our menu. Our A-10 Warthog Burrito is popular. It’s packed with all three porks (bacon, sausage and ham), making it a true “big boy” burrito that’s good for sharing. I’m also proud of our fish tacos with beer-battered cod, housemade pico de gallo and chipotle aioli.